Basement Pest Control 101

All pests are not created equal. There are external pests, internal pests, and basement pests! Treating each type of pest will require different approaches and slightly different mitigation efforts. In this week’s column we’re breaking down everything you need to know about one particular type of pest. The basement pest! 

What Types of Pest are Most Common in New Jersey Basements? 

There are a lot of different types of pests you can find in a basement. If you reside in Florida the pests could very well be snakes. In Arizona, it could be scorpions. The middle east, giant camel spider. But luckily for us here in New Jersey, we’re not dealing with anything quite that terrifying. 

Here are some of the common pests we encounter in New Jersey basements. 

Mice.

Mice are the most common pests found in basements. Why? It’s quiet, secluded, warm and you aren’t down there much. Mice may not seem as terrifying as camel spiders or rattlesnakes but don’t be fooled by their adorable appearance and their presence in fairy tales, suspiciously depicted as the good guys! Mice carry diseases. There are several ways to prevent mice from setting up residence in your home and there are humane mice treatment options provided by Kapture Pest Control. 

Roaches.

Unlike the standard German cockroach, we discussed in our latest roach column, the roaches of the basement are typically Pennsylvania wood roaches, and/or oriental roaches. German roaches are smaller and lighter in color than your run of the mill roaches and are typically found in bathrooms and kitchens, close to their food sources.

Pennsylvania wood roaches and oriental roaches, however, look more like what you expect a roach to look like (fat, dark and pill-shaped) and prefer the basement. Why? For the Oriental Roach, it’s for the heat and humidity. They typically make homes around the warm appliances in the basement like the furnace or water heater. 

The Pennsylvania Wood Roach, however, is typically not in your home on purpose. They typically reside in the yard and are brought in, through no fault of their own, during fall cleanup. There they

take advantage of the new safe home and continue to do what roaches do. 

Spiders.

Spiders are another big culprit of basement living. Why? It’s dark, you likely don’t de-web down there often enough and there are plenty of other bugs to eat. 

Crickets.

Crickets will make their presence known to everyone in the house as soon the sun goes down. Crickets are fond of basements because they are safe down there and they often find the humidity they need to survive around the sump pumps or in the air through other sources. 

How to Prevent and Eliminate Basement Pests? 

Basement pest control will depend on the pest, but generally has a few things in common. First, you will want to reduce the moisture levels in the air if you’re dealing with any pest that prefers humidity or eats pests who prefer humidity. (Looking at you spiders!) This can be done with machine-like de-humidifiers or simple products like DAMPAID moisture catchers. 

Secondly, you will want to remove all food and water sources. Pests cannot sustain themselves and unless you’re dealing with silverfish or termites, they can’t eat your home for sustenance. Finding and eliminating their food and water sources will encourage the pests to find their way out. 

Then you will need to locate and eliminate the nests. For spiders, this is often as simple as de-webbing. For mice, this can be more complicated and it may make sense to consult a pest control company for help. Eliminating the nest of whatever pest you’re dealing with will cause the number of pests you’re seeing on a regular basis to decrease significantly! 

Finally, you will want to treat the basement when and where necessary, seal all entry points and be sure to remove any clutter that is contributing to their presence. 

Roaches for example love to nest inside of cardboard boxes, like between the layers of the cardboard! (see our column about moving precautions when dealing with roaches for more info about this bizarre behavior!)  If you’re treating for roaches it can be beneficial to swap all cardboard storage boxes with airtight plastic bins. 

Call in the Experts 

  But you don’t have to handle any of this alone. Kapture pest control has the experience, the knowledge, and the tools to get your basement, attic, shed, home, office, or yard pest-free. Book your free phone consultation today and let’s leave those pests in 2020, where they belong!